van gaal doubt united title credentials

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'I knew that already' - Van Gaal doubtsManchester United title credentialsThe Dutchman was at pains to point out that helearned nothing new from Saturday's defeat toSwansea City, insisting that he was already wellaware of his side's problemsBy Sam Lee16 Aug 2014 15:50:00Manchester United bossLouis van Gaal has concededthat his side may not becapable of winning thePremier League title, butinsists he knew that beforethe defeat against SwanseaCity.The Red Devils lost 2-1 at Old Trafford on Saturdayand despite stating throughout pre-season that hewants the club to challenge for first place, he hasadmitted that it is not possible with his currentsquad.Asked if the playersat his disposal aregood enough to winthe title, Van Gaalreplied: "That is notthe questionbecause I know thatbefore this game."But also with otherplayers it's also aquestion of if theycan play like a teamand if they can reachthe level. And today we don't reach that level andthen you cannot play as a team so easily."And that we have seen today. But in spite of thatwe could have won also. But when you don't playlike a team and you miss the chances then it's verydifficult because every team should also createpossibilities or chances against us. Because we areplaying with a big space behind us. That's alwaysdifficult to defend."Van Gaal fielded youngsters Tyler Blackett and JesseLingard in a 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford afterlosing a raft of experienced players on freetransfers and new signing Luke Shaw to injury.And he says he already knew of the importance ofsigning new players before Saturday's defeat."Yes, but I have thought that before this match alsoso that is not the difference," he added. "But whenwe are playing in the USA, I thought the same. Iknow in what positions we need a better player. Butyou have to buy only when the player can fulfil theway of playing what I ask. And we have to wait andsee. But we could have won today also."On the subject of showing players the Old Traffordexit door, Van Gaal added: "I don’t think it’s only upto me, it’s up to the players to decide because wehave given them problems. I shall tell the playerswhat I think and what I want from them but I shallnever say they have to go."United fell behind to a Ki Sung Yeung goal in the firsthalf, but even after Wayne Rooney equalised withan acrobatic effort from close range it was GylfiSigurdsson who struck the decisive goal.And Van Gaal admitted he made the decision toditch his much-heralded 3-5-2 system during thefirst half."[I decided to change] in the first half. They madethe pitch very big and we had to press in front, so4-3-3 is better system to press. In the beginning wedid well, we scored, and we had chances to make it2-1 but chances are not enough, you have to [score]the chances."I think that we can do it with both systems. Youhave seen the first half that we are not playing verygood and we are behind and that's why I havechanged the system and this system they haveplayed always in Manchester United."And then I changed it again. So I do everything towin. And to my players I cannot say that you didn'tdo your utmost best. Unbelievable work andfantastic mentality they have shown. But reachingthe level is different, not only running but also usingyour brain and then you can play like a team. Butthat we have failed today."